Question 1

What is the Public Health Collaboration?

Accepted Answer

PHC is a UK registered charity (No. 1171887 / SC052248) dedicated to informing and implementing healthy decisions for better public health. Our work is driven by volunteers and healthcare professionals working alongside our small core team.

Question 2

How are you funded?

Accepted Answer

We are funded by individual members of the public who want to support our mission. Membership fees, donations and conference ticket income pay for our educational resources, advocacy, and community programmes.

Question 3

Where can I confirm your findings about UK public health statistics?

Accepted Answer

The statistics we cite come from NHS Digital and Diabetes UK, both of which publish authoritative data on obesity, Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in the UK.

Question 4

Where can I confirm your findings about the UK population's eating habits?

Accepted Answer

Figures on diet and eating habits are taken from the UK Government's National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which tracks food and nutrient intake across the population.

Question 5

Why are your services free?

Accepted Answer

Our resources are free because our work is funded by individual members of the public who want to help the UK become healthier and reduce pressure on the NHS. Keeping access free is central to our mission.

Question 6

Can healthcare professionals working within the NHS advise low-carbohydrate diets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. NICE guideline NG28 (1.3.6) explicitly supports individualised dietary advice including low-carbohydrate approaches. Diabetes UK's 2017 position statement also endorses low-carb as a viable option. The RCGP e-learning module by Dr David Unwin, peer-reviewed outcomes in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, and a BJGP article on adapting diabetes medication further support its safe use in primary care.

Question 7

What do I get as a member?

Accepted Answer

Members receive our monthly e-newsletter, a #RealFoodRocks t-shirt, three sets of Real Food patient booklet packs to share with their network, and a discounted ticket to our annual conference.

Question 8

The Real Food Lifestyle includes butter — doesn't this cause cardiovascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Multiple large meta-analyses have failed to find an association between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease. The picture is far more nuanced than the simple 'fat is bad' narrative — context matters, and saturated fat within a whole-food diet behaves very differently than within an ultra-processed one.

Question 9

If butter doesn't cause heart disease, what does?

Accepted Answer

Current evidence points to sugar and refined carbohydrates as the major dietary drivers of the metabolic dysfunction underlying heart disease, not naturally-occurring fats in whole foods.

Question 10

The Real Food Lifestyle looks expensive?

Accepted Answer

It doesn't have to be. A simple real-food meal of carrots (6p), broccoli (12p) and pork chops (64p) comes to 82p per person. A handful of mixed nuts for afters adds around 58p. Real food can be both cheaper and more filling than ultra-processed convenience food.

Question 11

Why is the Real Food Lifestyle for Weight Loss a low-carbohydrate diet?

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials shows low-carb diets produce better weight loss and metabolic outcomes than low-fat. Of 67 direct RCT comparisons reviewed by PHC, 36 significantly favoured low-carb and 0 significantly favoured low-fat.

Question 12

Can a low-carbohydrate diet of real foods help with Type 2 diabetes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Meta-analysis finds low-carb diets more effective than low-fat diets across key markers including weight, HbA1c, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Many people have used this approach to achieve drug-free Type 2 diabetes remission under medical supervision.

Question 13

No cereals! What can I eat for breakfast?

Accepted Answer

Full-fat yogurt with nuts and berries; eggs with bacon, mushrooms and tomato; a cheese omelette; or hard-boiled eggs and a slice of ham for breakfast on the go. There are plenty of satisfying, low-carb options.

Question 14

I've just started low carb — I have a headache, cramps, and feel lousy. Is this normal?

Accepted Answer

This is common in the first few days as your body adapts. Drink plenty of water and add extra salt to your food to replace electrolytes. Magnesium supplements can help with cramps. Symptoms usually pass within a week.

Question 15

I am on prescribed medication — does that matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes — especially diabetes medications and SGLT2 inhibitors, which may need adjusting once you lower your carbohydrate intake. Please consult your doctor before starting. Metformin is typically compatible with a low-carb diet.

Question 16

Constipation — help!

Accepted Answer

Check you are drinking enough fluid. Magnesium supplements help some people. Milled linseed (flaxseed) with full-fat yogurt and raspberries is a simple, effective addition to your morning.

Question 17

What about when I'm travelling or at work?

Accepted Answer

Slices of meat, cheese and crudités travel well. Boxed salads with olives, eggs and cheese are widely available. For emergencies, keep almonds and a square of 90% dark chocolate on hand.

Question 18

What can I have to drink?

Accepted Answer

Water (with lemon if you like), black coffee, tea and herb teas. Alcohol in moderation: spirits with sugar-free mixers, red wine or champagne. It's best to avoid beer and sugary lattes.

Question 19

Can I have a cheat meal or snack?

Accepted Answer

A cheat meal can slow weight loss by flipping your metabolism back into sugar-burning mode. Be honest with yourself about whether you're dealing with addiction. Useful real-food snacks include raw carrots and cheese, a small handful of nuts, or almonds.

Science-backed
health guidance

Get evidence updates

Get the low-carb evidence summary

Turn the evidence into practical action

Evidence library

Research

FAQs

Resources

RCTs comparing low-carb to low-fat

Featured research

Dr Unwin's 6-Year Results in Type 2 Diabetes Remission

Ambassador Evaluation Study

Dietary Strategies for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes

All 18 research papers

Frequently asked questions

What is the Public Health Collaboration?

How are you funded?

Where can I confirm your findings about UK public health statistics?

Where can I confirm your findings about the UK population's eating habits?

Why are your services free?

Have a question?

Science-backedhealth guidance

Get evidence updates

Get the low-carb evidence summary

Turn the evidence into practical action

Evidence library

Research

FAQs

Resources

RCTs comparing low-carb to low-fat

Featured research

Dr Unwin's 6-Year Results in Type 2 Diabetes Remission

Ambassador Evaluation Study

Dietary Strategies for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes

All 18 research papers

Frequently asked questions

What is the Public Health Collaboration?

How are you funded?

Where can I confirm your findings about UK public health statistics?

Where can I confirm your findings about the UK population's eating habits?

Why are your services free?

Have a question?

Science-backed
health guidance